I know i'm setting the bar low vs what others here do on a regular basis and we have a very, very flat landscape but I am incredibly thrilled to have completed my first metric century this past weekend. Took about 4:18 moving time and averaged around 14.3 mph. Temps were around 80 at the start and got to low/mid 90's before the finish. The last 10 miles were a bit rough as the sun came out with a vengeance and the heat was intense but I finished!
The route was absolutely fantastic with lots of directional changes. Winds were maybe 8-11mph and there was never a point where I felt that 'sweet Jesus take me now' feeling you get looking at miles of straight road directly into a 15 mph wind.
Longest ride prior was a 30 mile organized ride a few years ago.
Have another one scheduled in October (Seagull Century....YUUUGE with 8k + riders) and will be doing the metric then as well. My goal will be to finish faster and stronger. I'm thinking with so many more riders i'll have company more often and the miles will pass easier. The toughest part of this past ride was sections of the last 10 miles where it got crazy hot and there were very few groups of riders to tag on to.
A pic just because threads with pics are more interesting:
